The Foodservice Packaging Association, has responded to comments and reports about the supposed ‘ban of polystyrene foam food containers’ in Oxford.
Several publications have reported that Oxford has become the first city in the UK to ban polystyrene foam food containers as they are not biodegradable.
However, Martin Kersh, executive director of the Foodservice Packaging Association, told Packaging News that during a meeting he attended on Monday 13 April the Council voted unanimously for a proposal that states packaging that isn’t biodegradable OR recyclable will be prohibited, and Kersh points out that foam packaging is recyclable and that no particular material was being banned.
At the meeting Oxford Council leader Bob Price clearly focused on material when he said: “Plastic take-away food containers are an environmental disaster and recyclable and biodegradable alternatives are easily available. As a society, we should be relentless in driving down the amount of rubbish we send to landfill and increasing the level of recycling and re-use of materials.”
Kersh responded: “It is very clear, Oxford City Council on 13 April voted unanimously to prohibit the City’s street vendors from using packaging that isn’t biodegradable OR recyclable. This is irrespective of material.”
“EPs (foam packaging) is recyclable and we have been discussing how best this can be achieved with Oxford City Council business regulation team manager who has been researching recycling options.
“We will work with Oxford to help improve their recycling of foodservice packaging and applaud them for wishing to do so. We imagine a lot of traders are now confused as a result of the statement made.
